My main reason for buying the IS250 RWD MT was for the transmission. The automatic AWD 250 is surely underpowered. But put it with a MT, and it is completely different.
Also tried the TSX and the 3 series RWD. I thought the Lex was the best. It has power, brand reliability and it is still fun even without the 100 HP.
If Toyota started making the 350 with a MT, I would be ALL over that!